Iradukunda!!! 

Iradukunda, the street boy loved by God

While travelling the regions of East Africa this past month preaching the gospel in schools, churches, and open air markets, I was taken to a town in the northwestern corner of Rwanda near Lake Kivu. I was to preach in a church for a Pastor David Hategekimana. After the service was finished, I walked with others back to a nearby bus stop to make our way back to Kigali. It was the late afternoon. While I sat waiting, two young boys walked up and began to watch me as I ate a piece of roasted corn. I was enjoying the corn to the extent that it took a few minutes for me to notice these two street boys. They were raggedly dressed with holes in their shirts and pants. They were both bare-footed and dirty from head to toe. I asked both of them through my nearby translator if they might like a piece of my corn. They quickly agreed. I broke my corn into three pieces and these two boys, most likely ten or eleven years of age, began to devour their own. Sitting in front of the store, I asked if my partner, Adewale, might sing some songs using his guitar to the crowd that was beginning to gather. As he sang the group of young men and boys huddled around. After a couple of songs, I took my Bible and shared the gospel story of grace and love. A little less than thirty of these, including my newly-found street boys, prayed the sinners prayer and trusted Christ as their Savior.



Adewale Sings in Storefront

The crowd dispersed and the the two boys continued standing nearby. I asked the one more destitute-looking, "What is your name?". He replied,  "Iradukunda". I then inquired of his parents. With somewhat of a hesitation in his voice he answered, "My mother has died and my father drove me out of his house once he remarried". "Then where do you sleep at night?", I asked this poor boy. He turned and pointed over the street and described to my translator some outdoor place that he and the other boy used for a shelter. My heart sank as I thought of this homeless child and the hardships that he faced in his day-to-day survival in this East African town. Iradukunda was not alone in his plight of child homelessness. Over 100 million children live on the streets of the world. According to UNICEF, 10 million of these live in Africa.

Iradukunda had now accepted Christ as his Savior. I took him into the small shop which we had sat in front, and bought him a muffin. He sat and ate his muffin quietly. My translator, Rama, asked another older boy some lengthy questions and then gave him some money. The older boy summoned Iradukunda and both left together. I asked Rama where the boys had gone. He stated that older boy was currently working at a car wash, and he had agreed to pay the boy 100 Rwanda Franc or about 15 cents for him to take Iradukunda there and wash his dirty body. I never saw the boys again. Iradukunda had been ushered away for a cleaning of his body. He had earlier received a cleaning of the soul after hearing the gospel.
I boarded a bus with the other men and headed for Kigali. As I sat in the rear of the bus next to Rama I asked, "So what is the meaning of the name 'Iradukunda'?". He replied that it meant "He (God) loves us". As I rode back home that evening I thought of the love of God for all the homeless children of Africa. I thought of His never-ending compassion for those that are rejected by their own. I arrived back at my place of rest. As I closed my eyes on a soft bed after a warm shower I thought of this abandoned boy that I had met along Lake Kivu. I thought of Iradukunda.





"Mended by Love"

Last month after preaching throughout southern Africa for four weeks, I discussed with those on our team about the possibility of taking a couple of days prior to returning to the US and going to see the mission that Robert Moffat had established in Kuruman, South Africa, between 1818-70. We all agreed to make the journey, and after 14 hours on the road, we arrived  at the mission on a Saturday. We were able to secure housing there on the property in a nice comfortable room. We then spent all day Saturday, meeting some of the staff and local pastors, as well as visiting the sites on campus that had historical value.

One of the most moving experiences of our stay was musing though the cemetery where men, women, and children who had left their countries behind for the gospel were laid to rest on this distant soil. The names of children will be forever etched in my memory, as I sat alone thinking of mothers who sobbed over the sacrifices they had made for the souls of Africans. I visited the house where the printing press that Moffat that used to print the first of all African Bibles into the Setswana language, a

project that to him more than 30 years. I had an opportunity to preach that Sunday in the old Stone Church that he had built in 1838. I toured a house called the "Livingstone House" where David had come to recuperate from his well-recorded "Lion Attack" in 1845. It was while spending time here in Kuruman recovering from that awful wound that he fell in love with the eldest daughter of Moffat, Mary. It was also, nearby under an almond tree in a lovely garden, that he proposed to Mary, and later that year be wed to her in the Stone Church.

As I spent time reminiscing over all the events that took place over 150 years ago on this hallowed ground, I couldn't help but think of all the hurt that had been felt by those giants of this missionary land. The many heartbreaks that were endured to see the Word of God established in this darkened land were nearly unimaginable. The seeds of the gospel had been watered by the tears of these saints. Then I thought of a wounded Livingstone that had come to this mission to find rest and healing, and had instead found love. He had no doubt over months of recovering found a balm for his body and soul through the tenderness and care of Mary Moffat. He also, found a life-long companion and friend that would complete him and help him to penetrate the interior of Africa with the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

He might have come to Kuruman with a limp, but he left with a leap. He found strength and courage to continue the hard path that God had called him to trek. He had indeed found healing. He was mended by more than simply a doctors medicine, rather he was "mended by love".

"The Influence of One"

In 1820, Robert Moffat would travel to Capetown, South Africa, as a pioneer missionary with the London Missionary Society. Moffat was not from a wealthy or educated home. He had been saved at the age of eighteen and from the outward appearance, had little to offer the world by means of talent. However, he would become known a missionary who had great endurance, and would spend his life winning the lost tribes of Africa for Christ and paving the way for other devoted missionaries to follow.

After settling in a place called Kuruman, Moffat began to develop a burden, not only for the local Setswana people, but he also, had a longing to see the gospel go into the interior of Africa. These were regions where few others ever dared to go. He would at times travel by foot, boat, or oxen hundreds of miles to places like present-day Zimbabwe to share Christ. Moffat cared not what personal cost that he or his wife Mary might pay. They buried their children in the soil of Africa. They suffered attacks by lions and cannibalistic warring tribes. Yet nothing would drive them from this land that so desperately needed Jesus.

In 1839, the Moffats travelled back to Scotland for a brief but productive furlough. On a cold and rainy night, while speaking to a relatively small congregation, he made mention of "the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary had ever been". A young man that would hear him that evening would answer the call of God in his own life. Visionary, David Livingstone, would join Moffat and family in Kuruman in 1841. While Moffats life would be primarily spent among the Setswana tribe in southern Africa, Livingstone would cut deep into the center of Africa and travel nearly 40,000 miles preaching Christ and discovering new lands.

As a missionary and lover of the African people, I will go this month to share the gospel in places Livingstone once pioneered along the Zambesi River. Our party of four Baptist preachers will speak in churches, schools, and prisons in Gaborone, Pretoria, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Livingstone, and Katima. Though it may have been a Livinstone who inspired hundreds of others to converge on these regions and give their lives to the people and cause of Christ, it should be remembered that Moffat first influenced Livingstone. Had there not been the faithfulness of a Robert Moffat, there would never have been a David Livingstone. Thank God for the "Influence of One"

Reaching the Unlovely

Last March while in Brazzaville, Congo, my brother and I had the honor of working with Brother Jean-Claude Malanda of Campus Crusade. The Lord used our time to melt our hearts with this choice servant of God and give us a burden for reaching the Pygmies in the Northern Regions of the Congo. The Pygmies number more that 49,000 in this region of Africa and are viewed by other African tribes as being sub-human. God loves the whole world and this certainly would include the pockets of Pygmies throughout West and Central Africa. In March, 2012, our team along with Brother Malanda will be staying for 4 weeks doing evangelism and training of workers in the foundations of Christianity. Please, pray for us to impact these precious people for Christ.  

At "Peace" on the Congo River!

On February 14th I embarked on a five-nation evangelistic trip throughout Central and West Africa with my brother, Chris, and Missionary Jeff Stewart. We had no idea the things that would contront us as we travelled by road from Douala to Yaounde to Libreville to Brazzaville to Kinshasa. This 1500 mile journey would take us into some of the most difficult circumstances and terrain that I have experienced in my 14 years of serving the Lord in Africa. We would would preach in schools, churches, prisons, and the open air, and would rejoice as some 6,569 souls would receive Christ as their Savior. Our final stop would be on the Congo River near Kinshasa.

While travelling along this majestic African river, my mind raced to the day when an early Baptist missionary, George Grenfell, came here in 1884 with his steamship named the "SS Peace". Grenfell had helped with the design of it and it's construction a year earlier. It was a 78 foot long iron steamship built from the donation of Robert Arthington Jr. through the Baptist Missionary Society in London. It's purpose was to send the gospel into the interior of Africa by way of the Congo. These deadly waters had become a graveyard for the missionaries due to disease, crocodiles, and ambush from the local tribesmen. The gospel had not been able to penetrate far into the jungles due to these calamities. This was the case until George Grenfell and more than a thousand Africans carried in 800 crates the dismantled "Peace" more than 250 miles from the ocean's coastline to the banks of the river at Kinshasa. It took 13 attempts to reach the Stanley Pool, a place in the river that had a depth of 750 feet. Grenfell also, had another problem as 3 of the engineers sent from England to help in the reconstruction of the steamer all died within months. Greanfell decided at that point, with the help of some Liberian seamen, to do the work themselves. He said later in a journal that this blessed boat was "held together by their prayers".

Once the "Peace" was inaugurated she began for years carry the missionaries up this mighty river, stopping along the way for the preaching of the gospel in villages and ministering to people who before were some of the most destitute heathen of their day. Grenffell faced pratices such as cannibalism and human sacrifice. He continued on his service for the Lord all the way until 1906 when he died more than 3,000 miles up the Congo and was buried in a simple grave.

God bless all of those pioneer missionaries who paved a way for those of us who would one day follow. It was on this years eventful journey that we traversed many hours from the place where the "Peace" first entered these murky waters and came by wooden canoe to a village called "Village 19". While at this tiny village, where the people are but simple fishermen and farmers, I had the privilege of leading the local chief, Mayala, to Christ and one evening baptizing him in the river before a group of villagers who had also gotten saved. None of our efforts would have proven a success had it not been for the many sacrifices of men such as George Grenfell.

After more than 3 weeks of ministering in numerous towns and villages, we made our way to Kinshasa to fly back to Cameroon and onto the US. However, we decided to stop over at a place we had heard was the site of where some of the early Baptist had come and where some of the first buildings still stood. We found near the river an old church that was built in 1915. It was unique in and of itself, but when we went further towards the river, what we found what made our ministry there the most memorable of all. It was the original steam engine of the "Peace"! It was sitting just feet from the banks of the Congo and was at the rear of a building in which the Baptist kept century-old photos and documents of George Grenfell and this famous ship! It was truly an amazing day as we had the joy of interviewing the church historian and learning more about the history of the early days of the Baptist along the Congo. We eventually left Kinshasa and made our way back to our church here in Florida. We brought with us as a token of our journey the joys we had from seeing precious Congolese come to Christ, and a deeper appreciation for those who had first brought the "Peace" of God to this region more than 127 years ago!

"FACES OF AFRICA"

25 Days Not in Africa!

Alright. As you know I love Africa! I have given the better part of my ministry for the salvation of African souls. So, why did I think it worthwhile to go with our church group in November, 2010, to three countries in the Middle East and one in Asia? I will admit that when asked about going to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and India for 25 days, I was not as enthused as I could have been. The only real reason for my lack of enthusiasm was, well, it just isn't Africa. However, I was reminded that God loves the whole world and that our job is to take the gospel of Jesus to every creature. And so from Beruit to Damascus to Amman to Calcutta to Imphal I went with my brother, Chris, and later Allen Weaver, to reach different ethnic groups for Heaven.

Was I in for an experience I should never forget!

25 Days of Indescribable Sites

In these 25 days I was able to see sights I only imagine to ever fix my eyes upon. The Wall in Damascus where supposedly Saul of Tarsus was lowered in a basket, the house of Ananias, the Street Straight, the city of Byblos (oldest inhabited city in the world), a Roman Amphitheater, a Temple built for Hercules, and a church established by famous missionary William Carey, were but a few of the unbelievable places we visited.

25 Days of Inspirational Servants

In 25 days I was able to meet some incredible servants of God. We fellowshipped with one pastor of a Baptist church in Sidon, Lebanon, Dr. Pierre Francis. He was saved as a young man in his home town. His father was one of the first converts in this region of the country back in the 1950's. The church that Pastor Francis leads, Evangelical Baptist Church, was completely destroyed by Israeli/Palestinian fighting in the mid-80's. For seven long years, the members and the pastor fled their homes and lived as refugees. In 1992, they returned and began to rebuild their lives, homes, and their church.

In Beruit, we had the opportunity to preach in several churches and ministries. One of these ministries was the BLESSED Home in Achrafieh. It is a place established in 1868 for the evangelism and benevolence of the Blind and Special Needs Children. While at this wonderful Christian home, we met a Mr. Mkhayel Haddad. He lost sight in both eyes, and his entire right hand was blown off in 1948 when as an eight year old boy he picked up a live grenade. As result of this tragedy, he was brought to the Blessed home, where later he was saved, and would become a great inspiration to others who are infirmed. Mr. Haddad has served as an instructor of the blind, as well as deacon in a local Baptist Church.

In a town near West Imphal, India, we had the privilege of working with Dr. David Wijunimai of the Chil Chil Baptist Church. Pastor Wijunimai has an unbelievable vision for reaching his surrounding visions with gospel. In addition to having a a large church that wins multitude to Christ yearly, he has a Bible College with 200 students, a grade school with 1,200 pupils, an orphanage with 100 homeless children, a widows house with some 60 elderly women, and a missions program that currently helps 13 new works in the region. Dr. Wijunimai is a pioneer. We had the joy of being there for the second consecutive year, and have great plans of partnership for the future.

25 Days of Irreplaceable Souls

In these 25 days we were honored to preach to thousands and see hundreds make open decisions to receive Christ. It is hard to fathom why God continues to use our ministry to see souls saved, We are not all we could be for Him and we have nothing of ourselves for which to glory. On this recent trip, we simply travelled and preached, and travelled and preached again, and travelled and preached again. For the 25 days we were able to see God saved 3,412 souls, even if they were not Africans!

"A Price to Pay"

As I was thinking about this matter of reaching the world for Christ, I was musing about our future plans to go back to Africa. We have covered every country on the western coast of Africa from Nigeria to Senegal in the past 2 years and 3 months. Now we look farther north. For some time, I have had a burden for the country of Mauritania, as I have crossed paths with dozens of immigrants from this land. They were mostly business people that owned small stores, hotels, and restaurants throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa. As I began to consider various doors into this country. I came across the sad and tragic story of the man pictured in this post, Chris Leggett. Chris was from Cleveland, Tennessee. He was reared in church by his parents, and was part of an active youth group. As a young man he had gone on mission trips to places like Mexico. After college and his marriage to Jackie, Chris believed that God was leading him to Mauritania to reach the people for Christ. This West African country was not open for christian missionaries, however, Chris did not allow this obstacle to prevent him from doing the will of God. For seven years He ministered with his wife and four children in this difficult Islamic environment. He learned the local brand of Arabic and also, spoke French fluently. His heart swelled with love for the people as he longed see them saved. He worked exstensively in the local prisons and used his education and experiences to help these precious people not only physically, but spiritually.

Then on June, 23rd, 2009 in the capital city of Nouakcott, Chris was gunned down in the street by a North African arm of Al-Qaida. He had given his life for the people and his Savior whom he loved. Though much of the western world would never know what happened on that dark Tuesday, the angelic choir of Heaven rose up in unison as it welcomed home this fearless servant of Christ who had paid a price for the souls of men in Africa.

Over 15,000 Saved in Four Weeks

I have just spent the last 30 days in seven African countries wth two other members of our ANOM ministry team, Chris Pledger and Dave Douglass. It was one of the most exciting and rewarding adventures I have been blessed to be a part. From town to town we moved along the western coast of Africa, speaking in churches and schools, while showing the Jesus Film in Yoruba, English, French, Wolof, Krio, Mandinka, Portuguese, Susu, and Jola. We spoke to some one-on-one and to other crowds that neared 1,000. We logged more than 10,000 miles and saw more than 15,000 people come to Christ. It was incredible and will be remembered as the greatest number of souls we have seen saved in such a short amount of time. Thank you for all that prayed and gave to see God move in hearts.

Wow! A whirlwind of a missions trip since we left on February 1st for our 7 country outreach. We have shown the Jesus film and preached in schools and churches in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Gambia. 10,424 have made professions of faith. A 106 year old woman on a mountainside near Freetown, Sierra Leone is seen with me after getting saved. Thank God for the Gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. Pray for the Continent of Africa as we are venturing into heavy Islamic areas.

Heading Back To Africa

ANOM African Team leaves Monday, February 1st for a two month and seven country evangelistic outreach. We will begin in Nigeria and work our way west through Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and finally The Gambia. We will be in 16 separate churches, and villages, prisons, schools, and open markets. Brother Dave Douglass will remain in the fishing village of Makoko, Nigeria, as we establish the Calvary Baptist Church and Christian Academy. My brother, Chris will be preaching on two islands off the coast of Guinea. We will be ministering to two of the least evangelized tribes of West Africa, the Susu and Wolof. Pray that God will use us as we go into Conakry, Bissau, Banjul, and Dakar, some of the largest Islamic cities in West Africa. Our goal is to see 20,000 people come to Christ during these 2 months. Chris will be remaining in Nigeria after my return to the U.S. and be helping to reorganize the church that I planted in 1996 in Abeokuta. During this same time Brother Douglass will be preaching in Lagos and continuing his work in Makoko. The harvest is plenteous!